The design discipline in China is the result of the transition from patternology, and in this process, Zhuge Kai's comprehension of the principles of pattern design made an important contribution to the construction of the Chinese design discipline at the end of the 20th century when it was still in its infancy. Through an in-depth investigation of the connotation of Zhuge Kai's thought on pattern, the importance of Zhuge Kai's thought on pattern to the early development of Chinese design discipline is confirmed. Zhuge Kai's thought of patternology and its theoretical achievements not only build the framework of the theoretical construction of patternology in the new era, but also can be regarded as the symbol of the theoretical perfection of Chinese "modern patternology", which effectively promotes the construction and development of Chinese contemporary design education.